How to maximize buying experience at dealership?

[4runnerguy]

Hi all -


After weeks of searching, I found the exact trim and options I was looking for: 2026 ORP with i-Force Max, Everest color, moonroof, and tow package. Bonus: the dealership is only ~30 miles away.


I called the sales department, some lucky guy answered, and I sent over a down payment to put an official "dibs" on the vehicle. The process has been very straightforward so far. The truck is expected to arrive the third week of January. I'm planning to put roughly $30k down and finance the rest through my national bank or a credit union.


Before it arrives, I want to be as prepared as possible and maximize the buying experience.

Questions for the community:

• What should I be asking the dealership about or looking into closely before delivery?
• Are there things that are easier or smarter to have done at the dealership right away vs waiting and doing later?
• What else should I be thinking about or at least asking questions on?

l've been lurking the forums in excited anticipation and have seen a lot of discussion around:

• Dealer-installed PPF (worth it? partial vs full front?)
• Tinting (brand, ceramic vs non-ceramic, what glass is included, etc.)

Apologies if this sounds naive as this is my first new vehicle purchase and first time buying from a dealership. I'm not expecting freebies, but realistically I called and said "I want it.” There wasn't much negotiation involved, so I want to make sure I'm not missing anything or paying for things that aren't worth it.


Appreciate any advice from folks who've already taken delivery of a 6th gen or bought new Toyotas recently. Thanks in advance.


Your n00b friend,
4runnerguy

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[samsamdar]

Something that I’ve found true over the years: Never get any of the dealership add ons. It’s always horrible quality and you can do much better at a local shop. This includes tint, ppf, gps trackers, “nitrogen filled tires,” etc. I had to beg my dealer to not touch the car after it came off the truck. A lot of these Toyota dealers will push very hard for you to get the add-ons. Resist them as much as you can lol. Ideally negotiate this before the car lands at the dealer. Otherwise they may install stuff without asking you the second it arrives. Try to get the car as it comes from the port. My sales guy kept telling me that he “couldn’t do the deal” without at least a few dealer add-ons. Asked to speak to a manager and kept climbing the chain until they agreed lol

 

[brumey]

Great advice..... Don't rush. Don't buy any dealer BS. If they will not sell without add-on's, go elsewhere.

 

[soulsea]

Not only don't let them PPF it, don't even let them wash it.

I've seen more paint damage done by idiots at the dealer car wash during PDI than anywhere else. And they usually subcontract terrible PPF installers who permanently seal in the damage afterwards.

I tell every dealer I buy a car from to do the bare minimum to get the car functional via mechanical PDI. Remove external stickers and internal wrappers to make sure there's no damage and then touch nothing beyond that. And then I have my detailer be the first to touch the paint to correct what needs correcting and then PPF (tint) afterwards.

 

[shine]

Closely inspect the appearance of the car when you take delivery. This is your one shot at documenting damage to the paint, trim, glass etc. If you come back the next day they can say you caused the damage.

Some dealers like to add their own stickers or badges to the car. In the past I've had them remove it before taking possession. Similarly, if you don't want a front plate, mention this early on so they don't put holes in your front bumper. Repeat this when the vehicle arrives, and if they forget then remind them and make them replace the damaged part (it's not expensive).

Mine came with port "extras" that that were not on the sticker and that I did not pay for. This includes a first aid kit, a net for the trunk, and wheel locks. The first two are ok, but I hate wheel locks with a passion. I didn't notice them right away, but when I did I called and they wouldn't do anything for me. I then called Toyota in TX and they contacted the dealer. Then they sent me 4 lugs to replace the locks. Just something to look out for in case you feel the same about these things.

When asked if you're interested in extras, warranty, gap protection, etc. always respond with a polite but firm no. Do not express doubt, just say no. I haven't had dealers push hard on these in the 30+ years I've been purchasing new cars, but there are plenty of horror stories out there.

If you want to add accessories they can be purchased for less from https://autoparts.toyota.com. If you're considering rolling the cost of accessories into the loan, just put less down, get a slightly larger loan, and set aside money for the accessories. No need to purchase these from the same dealer, but funny enough the dealer where I purchased mine also had very good prices from their parts department. Online prices being much less than if you purchase at the counter.

After you get the vehicle and call your insurance company, ask if they offer a full replacement protection option. This means that they will pay the full price for a replacement vehicle if yours it totaled. It's usually not very expensive, and removes the need for gap coverage.

 

[Desert_6Gen]

Hi all -


After weeks of searching, I found the exact trim and options I was looking for: 2026 ORP with i-Force Max, Everest color, moonroof, and tow package. Bonus: the dealership is only ~30 miles away.


I called the sales department, some lucky guy answered, and I sent over a down payment to put an official "dibs" on the vehicle. The process has been very straightforward so far. The truck is expected to arrive the third week of January. I'm planning to put roughly $30k down and finance the rest through my national bank or a credit union.


Before it arrives, I want to be as prepared as possible and maximize the buying experience.

Questions for the community:

• What should I be asking the dealership about or looking into closely before delivery?
• Are there things that are easier or smarter to have done at the dealership right away vs waiting and doing later?
• What else should I be thinking about or at least asking questions on?

l've been lurking the forums in excited anticipation and have seen a lot of discussion around:

• Dealer-installed PPF (worth it? partial vs full front?)
• Tinting (brand, ceramic vs non-ceramic, what glass is included, etc.)

Apologies if this sounds naive as this is my first new vehicle purchase and first time buying from a dealership. I'm not expecting freebies, but realistically I called and said "I want it.” There wasn't much negotiation involved, so I want to make sure I'm not missing anything or paying for things that aren't worth it.


Appreciate any advice from folks who've already taken delivery of a 6th gen or bought new Toyotas recently. Thanks in advance.


Your n00b friend,
4runnerguy

It being your first new car you'll be in for a surprise. I hope the deposit you put down is refundable. All dealers will add some sort of "mandatory" add-ons like tint, door edge guards, ceramic coating, or PPF. Don't be forced to buy any of it even if you want it. They will charge 3 times more than it should cost and use the cheapest quality tint or PPF. Door edge gauges are a joke and the ceramic coating it not a true ceramic. They will literally just run it through a car wash which isn't the same as a hand application. Hopefully you already agreeded upon a price and got everything in writing.

 

[Tarekith]

Tell your sales person before it arrives that you don’t want anything added that you didn’t agree to ahead of time. Mine tried adding a crappy paint protection package for $1000 after I put the deposit down for our agreed amount. Got them to remove it, but it’s a tactic a lot of dealerships do to make it look like they are doing you a favor if you protest, worse case they get an easy $1000 of you don’t say anything.

 

[TrdProGirl84]

First and foremost know what you’re buying, period. Go in knowing exactly what you want.

 

[sstarrx2]

You have all the power...but by giving them a deposit, you pretty much gave that away. No worries, just try to minimize the damage. It is your first new car purchase you will probably pay too much anyway, we have all been there.

 

[TrdProGirl84]

Honestly, If you’ve done your research you know what the deal is prior to going in. I wouldn’t recommend ever going to a dealership “unsure”

 

[NotApplicable]

When you get into the finance room, the finance person will present you with 3-5 options, different combos of BS addons. Go with option 6, the one he didn’t mention but always exists: none of the above.

 

[Gumpus]

Hi all -

Before it arrives, I want to be as prepared as possible and maximize the buying experience.

Questions for the community:

• Are there things that are easier or smarter to have done at the dealership right away vs waiting and doing later?

Your n00b friend,
4runnerguy

Unless you or someone you know has had excellent customer service at this dealer there is absolutely nothing "extra" you want to have done by a dealer now or in the future. Find a specialty shop with a good reputation...and start looking for a local mechanic with a good reputation. I don't even accept the free oil changes because I don't trust dealers plus I have a local mechanic that I trust. I buy the vehicle from a dealer and hope never to see them again; the only reason I'd go back is warranty work.

 

[TrdProGirl84]

Don’t ever let them know you want whatever you’re there for bad. Also, if you go to the Dealership thinking you’re going to get a “deal” on a top trim level. Don’t waste your thought.

 

[SouthCoast]

Assume the dealer WILL put add-ons on the vehicle before you get there. They will overprice them and expect you to shell out for stuff they say “we can’t take it off since it’s a coating/film/whatever”. You could call them and request no addons, but it’s hit or miss if they actually comply.

 

[BRunner]

Be sure to review the bill of sale line by line for the item(s) they try to sneak in. My experience is that all dealers I've purhased from try to sneak in some kind of BS. Whatever you see that isn't simply vehicle price and requested add on, request it be removed and see where things go.

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